The Big East and its "Catholic 7" schools are in talks to end their relationship in 2014, a year ahead of schedule, a source told ESPN.com.

The Catholic 7 consist of DePaul, Georgetown, Marquette, Providence, Seton Hall, St. John’s and Villanova. The schools announced in December that they were leaving the Big East to form their own basketball-centered conference.

Under current Big East bylaws, the schools must pay a $10 million exit fee if they withdraw from the conference before the end of a mandatory 27-month waiting period. If the schools wait out the 27-month period, they would owe the conference nothing.

The Big East has negotiated early exits by Syracuse, Pittsburgh and West Virginia, with the schools paying different amounts to join the ACC and Big 12, respectively.

The Big East is looking to add a 12th member for football and basketball at some point, commissioner Mike Aresco said on Monday. It will have 10 members in 2013 and 2014. Navy will join in 2015 as a football-only member.